SEARCY – Harding senior Trent Wooldridge went 4-for-5 and John Chapman added two hits but the Bisons fell 3-2 to No. 5 Arkansas Tech on Friday in Great American Conference action at Jerry Moore Field.

Any of several scenarios in conference action Friday could have clinched Harding's spot in the upcoming GAC Tournament on May 3-6 in Enid, Okla. Harding entered the weekend in fourth place in the conference standings with the top six teams advancing to conference tournament. As of press time, none of those scenarios had fallen Harding's way. The Bisons can clinch a spot without help Saturday by winning either game of the doubleheader against Arkansas Tech that begins at noon.

Arkansas Tech (39-8, 23-5) extended its NCAA Division II-best winning streak to 20 games and clinched at least a share of the regular season conference championship.

Harding (26-20, 16-12) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Wooldridge, who has now had four hits or more in three of his last six games, hit a triple to right field lead off the first. He scored on Erin McCarver's ground out.

Tech did all its damage in the third inning, scoring three times on four hits off Harding starter Cameron Walker (3-6).

Harding cut the lead to one run in the fifth when Wooldridge singled to left to score Zac Stewart, who had reached on a fielder's choice.

The Bisons had chances over the last four innings to score, but left runners on in three of the four innings. Harding left the bases loaded in the sixth. For the game, Harding was 3-for-17 with runners on base and 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Walker allowed only one hit after the fourth inning and left with one out in the eighth. He struck out three and did not allow a walk. Hunter Payne got the final five outs without allowing a hit.

Ryan Taylor (5-2) earned the win for Arkansas Tech. He pitched 5 1-3 innings and allowed four hits and two earned runs. The Wonder Boys used four relievers with closer Randy Vallejo earning his GAC-leading 15th save by getting the last three outs.